SANFORD - Terri Brown brings a wealth of understanding to her new position as Small Business Center Coordinator for Lee County. Brown, who was owner of Sanford travel agency Wonderful World of Travel for 22 years, is familiar with the many challenges and triumphs that start-up and existing small businesses owners experience.

Operated through Central Carolina Community College, the Lee County Small Business Center is part of a network of small business centers throughout North Carolina and the U.S. The state Small Business Center Development program offers assistance to individuals who want to establish or grow a small business. Small Business Centers, such as the one in Lee County, provide aid in a number of ways, including one-on-one counseling, informational seminars, help with obtaining grants or funding, resource materials, and marketing -- all at no cost.

"Owning a small business is a trial by fire so to speak," Brown said. "You learn so much from the day-to-day operation. But as difficult as it is, it is also most rewarding."

Brown received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from St. Andrews College in Laurinburg, and went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2011. She joined author, speaker, and small business marketing consultant Michael Port's "Book Yourself Solid" coaching program, training with him for two years through online classes and attending live events around the country. She also trained with Mara Glazer of Glazer-Kennedy, a small business marketing company in Baltimore, Md.

"I chose to train with Mara Glazer because of her excellence in online marketing and social media skills," said Brown. "The company uses innovative strategies that work for entrepreneurs and business owners such as informative newsletters and personalized mentoring and coaching."

One of the missions of the Lee County Small Business Center is to provide training for small business owners in areas that will most benefit them, Brown said. "Some of our small business owners discover that they lack accounting skills and don't know how to do their books. We offer training, seminars, and counseling that address their specific needs. Not everyone starts a business at the same skill levels. We try to fill in these gaps with a wealth of resources and services that can help them develop and grow their small business," she said.

Among the informational seminars being offered this fall are Government Contracting: Finding Contracts on the Internet, Veteran Entrepreneurship Programs, Obtaining Positive Reviews Online that Lead to Business, QuickBooks Basics, How to Write a Business Plan, Introduction to Google Tools, Marketing Your Business, and How to Find Your Customers.

There are many advantages to owning a small business, Brown added. "Small businesses can react quickly to the market and can change on a dime," she said. "They have a lot more flexibility than a large company. There is also a lot of creativity that goes into operating a small business. You can try things out and see what works. It is always a learning experience."

Lee County is home to a large number of small businesses, including small manufacturers and retail shops.

"There is a little bit of everything in Lee County," Brown said. "It is a good mix. "I'm thrilled to be able to help small businesses in the community in which I have lived, grown up, and loved. I'm looking forward to being a part of its future growth and success."

For more information about the Lee County Small Business Center and its program of services, contact Terri Brown at 919-718-7544. All seminars are free and people can register for seminars online at www.leesbc.com.